Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in libvpx Package
Summary
CVE-2016-1621: libvpx in mediaserver in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49H, and 6.0 before 2016-03-01 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted media... Affects libvpx versions < 1.6.1-1. Fixed in 1.6.1-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
libvpx is an open-source video codec library used for encoding and decoding video streams. It is widely utilized in various multimedia applications and platforms, particularly in web browsers and video processing tools. The library is designed to support VP8 and VP9 video formats, providing efficient compression and high-quality playback. However, certain versions of libvpx in Android systems are vulnerable to a critical security flaw that can be exploited by attackers through specially crafted media files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2016-1621, exists in the libvpx library within the mediaserver component of Android versions 4.x, 5.x, and 6.0 prior to March 1, 2016. It allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service due to memory corruption when processing malicious media files. This issue is related to the handling of media files in libwebm/mkvparser.cpp and other associated files. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive data, system crashes, and complete control over the affected device.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.6.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libvpxTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate updating is not feasible, users can mitigate the risk by avoiding the playback of untrusted or unknown media files until the vulnerability is addressed. Additionally, consider implementing network-level security measures to restrict access to potentially harmful content.
Conclusion
CVE-2016-1621 represents a significant security risk for users of the libvpx library in various Android versions. It is crucial to update to the latest version to mitigate potential threats. Users should remain vigilant and consider using tools like Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for libvpx →
FAQ
CVE-2016-1621 is a critical vulnerability in the libvpx library that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service through crafted media files.
The affected versions include libvpx in Android 4.x before 4.4.4, 5.x before 5.1.1 LMY49H, and 6.0 before March 1, 2016.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, and denial of service, potentially compromising the entire system.
The CVSS score for CVE-2016-1621 is 9.8, indicating a critical level of severity.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libvpx.
